Leadership's Letter

The first six months of this year have been exceptionally busy, with extensive building and renovation work taking place in the main courtyard and the Year 7 area. The College Maintenance and Grounds team, led by Marc Johnson, has been primarily responsible for these efforts. Marc, who has been a staff member at Mazenod for 15 years, has developed procedures and processes as Operations Manager that are the envy of many other schools. During a recent Ultim audit, the College was found to be compliant in every area, thanks to Marc's meticulous record-keeping and compliance scheduling. (Ultim is the compliance arm of MACS that audits schools annually.)

Marc’s team, consisting of Michael, Vince, and Erin, ensures the College remains in excellent condition by proactively addressing building, maintenance, and repair needs. Brendan, the head groundsman, along with Zac and Erin, maintains the grounds immaculately and oversees the planting in newly landscaped areas such as the central courtyard and the rejuvenated Outdoor Learning space, which houses the turtles. The team was recognized by the College at a recent assembly.

Another essential group to the day-to-day operations of the College is the nursing team. Over the past week, I have spent considerable time working with Nadine, the Nurse Unit Manager, and Leanne, addressing the updated anaphylaxis policies and procedures issued by MACS. During my time in the Health Centre, I was impressed by the constant stream of students who rely on the nurturing care and expertise of the nurses. Reassuring a young boy with an upset stomach, assessing a sniffling student to determine if a parent needs to be called, and distributing cartons of tissues are just a few of the duties I observed. The nursing team, comprising Nadine, Leanne, Kate, and Viv, relies on the prompt return of medical authority forms and assorted documents. Please ensure this information is passed on promptly, as incomplete information may result in your son missing out on activities, excursions, or camps.

Finally, when reflecting on the activities of this semester and the individuals involved, an unsung hero who comes to mind is Maree Martin. Maree is not only a dedicated and talented library technician and supportive staff member, but she is also the elected College Health and Safety Representative. For the past seven years, Maree has ensured the safety of all college members by overseeing workplace compliance and addressing every issue, hazard, or risk. Her work, though rarely seen, is always performed to an exceptionally high standard and often goes unthanked. It is through her efforts that our working environment remains safe.

Thank you for collaborating with us throughout the first semester. If there is anything we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to ask. Enjoy the term break!

Tony Rolfe

Director of Operations, Risk & Compliance